Aquarium lighting system

ABSTRACT

An aquarium lighting system for underwater illumination of an aquarium tank. The light sources each include an elongated insulated wire having a light emitting diode on one end. A water impervious encapsulating layer of material extends over the LED lens and preferably seals and electrically insulates the connection between the elongated wire and the light emitting diode. The wire insulation is both waterproof and watertight. The plug has an opening extending therethrough which cooperates with an attachment mechanism such as a tie wrap or a suction cup to facilitate attaching the light emitting diode to either an object within the tank or the tank walls. A decorative aquarium volcano and display stand also are shown.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a division of application Ser. No. 07/609/239 filed Nov. 5, 1990which application was now U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,778 a continuation-in-partapplication of co-pending application Ser. No. 433,741, filed Nov. 9,1989, entitled "Aquarium Lighting System," now abandoned which was acontinuation-in-part application of co-pending application Ser. No.402,874, filed Sep. 5, 1989, entitled "Aquarium Lighting System" and nowabandoned.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates, generally, to aquarium lighting systems.More particularly, the invention relates to underwater aquarium lightingand decorative underwater lighted objects.

BACKGROUND ART

Many aquarium enthusiasts spend a great deal of time and moneyattempting to decorate the underwater interior of their aquarium tanks.Conventional aquarium lighting systems use 120 volt fluorescent orincandescent light bulbs which are typically carried by a tank cover toprovide overhead lighting for the aquarium. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.3,908,598. However, the bright white light generated by such lightingtends to physically disturb certain species of fishes. It also oftenartificially alters the true colors of the fishes and various decorativeitems placed within the tank.

It has been observed that underwater lighting systems tend to betterilluminate the tank and its inhabitants than cover-mounted light bulbssince the light strikes the objects within the tank from a differentangle. However, conventional internal (underwater) lighting systems tendto be bulky due to the necessity of isolating and insulating theelectrical components to prevent harm to the living organisms within thetank. Thus, internal underwater light sources are not widely used.

It has also been noted that the appearance of the fish and aquariumaccessories within a tank can be markedly enhanced by controlling thecolor of the light which passes through the tank. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 3,558,958 discloses a blue-red aquarium incandescent lamp which usesa titanium dioxide based material to coat an incandescent lamp to filterthe green and yellow components out of white light. However, such anarrangement is not well suited for underwater applications since thelight has relatively high voltage and power requirements. Thus, in theevent that an underwater lighting system using such a component is notwell insulated or the insulation fails, the tank's fishes and otherinhabitants would be electrocuted or otherwise harmed.

Fiber optic lighting systems also have been used for underwater aquariumlighting. Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 3,749,901 employs fiber optic underwaterlighting assemblies, but such systems also employ bulky and unsightlyelectrical seal assemblies. Moreover, the fiber optic lights lack thelighting intensity and flexibility in their applications which wouldotherwise be desirable. See, also, U.S. Pat. No. 3,609,343.

Convention underwater aquarium lighting also can generate unwanted heat,have an undesirably short operating life and be poorly adaptable fordecorative use in small scale underwater environments. Other underwateraquarium lighting systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,326,183,3,292,579, 3,326,185, 3,563,204 and 4,103,322.

Therefore, there is a need for an aquarium lighting system that includeslight weight underwater light sources that do not pose a risk to thetank's inhabitants and which can be used to compliment ornamentaldecorations within the tank. Such lighting systems should have a longoperating life, be easily adapted to a variety of applications andprovide significant light output.

Accordingly, it is a primary objective of the present invention toprovide an aquarium lighting system that includes low power lightsources which may be readily placed at various locations within anaquarium to accent the ornamental appearance of the tank as well as toprovide some illumination.

Another objective is to provide a modular lighting system which readilyallows the addition of light sources to the tank and the placements ofthe light sources at a wide variety of locations within the tank.

Another objective is to provide an internal aquarium lighting systemthat is not hazardous to the occupants of the tank.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide anaquarium light system which has a long operating life, is compact, iseasily installed adaptable to a wide variety of decorative objects andis relatively low in cost.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In one aspect the submersible aquarium light source assembly of thepresent invention includes an electrical light, insulated conductorelectrically connected to the light and a seal between the light andconductor. The improvement in the aquarium light assembly is comprised,briefly, of using a light emitting diode as the electrical light andencapsulating the lens of the light emitting diode with a lighttransmissive material to seal it against contact with water. In thepreferred form the seal between the conductor and light, as well asencapsulation of the diode lens, is provided by a continuous, solid,molded, relatively clear, plastic envelope.

In another aspect of the present invention, an aquarium lighting systemis disclosed which includes a power supply that provides a low voltageelectrical signal to a multiplicity of light sources disposed within thetank through a junction box having a multiplicity of connectors thereon.Each of the connectors is adapted to receive a lighting source connectorto provide electrical power to the associated lighting source. Thelighting sources each include an elongated insulated wire having a lightemitting diode on one end and the electrical connector on the other. Aninsulating plug is provided to seal and electrically insulate theconnection between the elongated wire and the light emitting diode, andthe diode lens is covered by a clear plastic coating. The wireinsulation is both waterproof and watertight. The plug has a bore holeextending therethrough which cooperates with an attachment mechanismsuch as a tie wrap or a suction cup to facilitate attaching the lightemitting diode to either an object within the tank or the tank walls.

Finally, a decorative aquarium volcano also is disclosed which includesa hollow body having both a light source and gas emitting assembly fordischarge of gas bubbles and emission of light from an open top of thevolcano.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The features of the present invention that are believed to be novel areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention,together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aquarium lighting system constructedin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a light source as seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic top view of the junction box as seen in FIG. 1with the cover removed.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic top view of a junction box incorporating aninternal power supply.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic side view of a junction box highlighting theattachment mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a light source havinga fiber optic plume and a suction cup attachment mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic side view of a fluorescent tube shade.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, side elevation view in cross section of aschematic representation of a light emitting diode encapsulated inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view, in cross section taken substantiallyalong the plane of line 9--9- in FIG. 10, of a display stand having alight emitting diode as shown in FIG. 8 incorporated therein and used tolight a decorative crystal structure.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the display stand of FIG. 9 with thecrystal removed.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a decorative geode incorporating thelight assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view, in cross section, of a decorative,aquarium volcano constructed in accordance with the present inventionand incorporating the light assembly of FIG. 8.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As illustrated in the drawings, the present invention relates to alighting system for illuminating an aquarium 1. In the embodiment chosenfor the purposes of illustration, the invention is used with an aquarium1 that includes a tank 3 having a cover 5. A fluorescent bulb 7 iscarried by the cover 5 to provide background lighting for the tank. Thebulb 7 would typically be positioned such that it is not directlyvisible to persons looking at the tank. A variety or ornamentalfigurines 9 and plants 11 may be placed within the tank for decorativepurposes.

The lighting system of the present invention includes a multiplicity oflight sources 20 that are placed at various locations throughout thetank to enhance its appearance. For example, the light source can beplaced within various ornamental figurines such as castles, lighthouses,volcanos, geodes, simulated crystals, etc., or attached directly toobjects within the tank, such as plants, coralline rocks, the tankwalls, display stands and the like. The light sources are powered by apower supply 12 that is arranged to provide a low voltage electricalsignal. A junction box 14 couples the power supply to the various lightsources.

While light assemblies have been provided for aquariums which havewater-tight seals between the light and the electrical wire connected tothe light, such light assembly sealing systems have bene relativelybulky, and the lights themselves have either been conventional glassbulb lights or fiber optic arrays. In the light assembly of the presentinvention three significant improvements have been made.

First, the light source is a light emitting diode, not a conventionalbulb or a fiber optic array. Light emitting diodes are capable ofextended operation, generate only a small amount of heat, and are smallenough for use in a wide variety of aquarium decorative applications.Second, not only is the connection to the diode sealed, the lens of thelight emitting diode is coated with a transmissive (transparent ortranslucent) layer to seal the lens against contact with water. Third,the connection seal and the lens coating are preferably provided as acontinuous cast or molded compact plastic envelope, which also caninclude a light mounting structure.

FIG. 8 illustrates schematically a light emitting diode assembly,generally designated 21. Assembly 21 includes a base 81 having diodechip 82 mounted therein.

Extending from base 81 are electrical terminal leads 83 and 84 which arecoupled for the flow of electricity to chip 82. A transparent lens 86 ismounted to base 81 over and proximate chip 82. The chip and lens areconfigured to produce a desired light emission pattern from the LED. Asthus far described, LED 21 is constructed in a manner known in the priorart.

Conventionally, LED are formed with lenses which can withstand contactwith water, but it has been found the standard LED lens cannot withstandprolonged contact without degradation of its properties. Moreparticularly, prolonged submersion of lens 86 in water will result inthe lens becoming brittle or impact sensitive. An LED which is merelysealed at terminals 83 and 84, therefore, will rapidly experience adegradation of the lens to the point that even a modest impact duringhandling of the light will cause shattering of the lens.

In the improved underwater light source of the present invention,therefore, a water impervious layer 87 of material extends over theentire exterior surface of lens 86 to seal lens 86 against contact withwater during prolonged submersion. Moreover, it is preferred that layer87 encapsulate base 81, terminals 83 and 84 and connections 91 and 92between wires 93 and 94 of conductor means 22. As will be seen in FIG.8, layer 87 can continue to a cylindrical plug-like portion 96 whichextends to and is molded in sealed or potted relation to tubularinsulation 97 and 98 on wires 93 and 94. Moreover, plug portion 96 canadvantageously be provided with light mounting means, here atransversely extending bore 99.

In order to match or mate the specific LED to power source, it is alsoadvantageous to provide a resistor 95 connected electrically in seriesbetween one of leads 83 and 84 and conductor wires 93 and 94. Resistor95 preferably is potted or molded into base portion 96 of the envelopesurrounding or encapsulating the LED.

As seen in FIG. 2, light source 21 is coupled to insulated wire 22 and aconnector 23 is mounted at the remote end of the conductor wire. Theplug-portion 25 has been formed in a separate molding step from thelight encapsulating layer 25A. Thus, plug 25 seals the connection ofwire 22 to diode 21. Left unsealed, the hygroscopic lenses of commercialLED's will quickly saturate with water and become extremely brittle. Thebrittle LED's will often shatter under the influence of relatively smallimpacts. Additionally, the saturated LED's tend to burn out much fasterthan normal LED's. Accordingly, coating or layer 25, equivalent to layer87 in FIG. 8, encapsulates the entire light source assembly includingplug 25.

As will be described below, borehole 27 is provided to facilitateattaching the light source to either an object within the tank or a tankwall. The insulation on the elongated wire 22 is both waterproof andwatertight to insure that bare portions of the electrical wires arenever directly exposed to the water within the tank.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 3-5, the junction box 14 includes a housing30 that carries at least one connector array 32 that is adapted to matewith one or more light source connectors 23 to electrically couple thepower supply 12 and the light sources 20. The power supply may take theform of a step down power transformer 40 as seen in FIG. 1 or a batterypack 45 received within the housing 30 as seen in FIG. 4. In the formerembodiment, transformer wire 42 extends from a plug-in type transformerto a transformer connector 43 in the junction box 14. The transformerconnector is then wired through an on/off switch 50 to the connectorarray 32. A current limiting resistor 37 is connected in parallel withthe connector array 32 to limit the current provided to the LED's. Thestep down transformer 40 takes the 120 volt A.C. line voltage andreduces it a D.C. voltage signal suitable for running the light emittingdiodes. By way of example, a suitable D.C. voltage level is 2-3 volts,with each light source drawing approximately 25-30 ma.

In the alternative embodiment of the control box 14 shown in FIG. 4, abattery pack 45 replaces the transformer 40 as the power supply. Withthis arrangement, the battery leads are wired directly to connectorarray 32 through switch 50.

The connector array 32 consists of a multiplicity of two prong maleconnectors 33 arranged in side by side fashion. Each connectors 33 isarranged to receive the female connector 23 of a single light source 20.Thus, a multiplicity of light sources may be plugged into and run off ofa single connector array. The actual number of connectors 33 in eacharray 32 may be widely varied depending on the requirements of thesystem. In the described embodiment either four or eight connectors 33are provided in the array. It should be appreciated that the junctionbox 14 may have any number of connector arrays to accommodate largerlighting systems.

Since several wires emanate from the junction box (i.e. the elongatedwires for light sources 20 and transformer wire 42), it is desirable toplace the junction box 14 in a location where it is unlikely to beinadvertently struck. Therefore, as best seen in FIG. 5, a removableattachment clip 55 is provided on the back side of the junction box 14to facilitate attaching the junction box directly to tank 3. A screw(not shown) is used to mount the attachment clip to the housing 30. Adouble sided adhesive strip 34 also secures the junction box to thetank. In an alterative embodiment, a suction cup is provided to couplethe junction box to the outer aquarium walls.

As mentioned above, a cylindrical borehole 27 or 99 extends laterallythrough the plug 25 or 96 below the connection between the elongatedwire 22 and its associated light emitting diode. The borehole is usedprimarily to facilitate attaching the light source to an object withinthe tank. As seen in FIG. 1, one manner of attaching the light source toan object (such as plant 61, as seen in FIG. 1) is to pass a tie wrap 60through the borehole and wrap it around an object placed within thetank. Alternatively, a suction cup 65 may be coupled to the plug using aclip that holds onto the borehole 27. The suction cup can then be usedto couple the light source 20 to a flat surface such as the walls of thetank. Additionally, ornamental figurines, such as the lighthouse 63shown in FIG. 1, can be adapted to receive the light emitting diode endof the light source. 20. In FIG. 11 a geode 111 having a viewing opening112 in one side thereof and an illumination opening 113 in an oppositeside thereof is shown sitting on sand 114 on the bottom 116 an aquariumtank. Mounted in opening 113 is an encapsulated LED assembly 21, whichemits light that is reflected off the crystalline interior of the geode.

To construct a light source, a two pronged female connector is securedto one end of a well insulated strip of wire. A wide variety ofconventional wires can be used, so long as the insulation is bothwaterproof and watertight. A conventional light emitting diode is thenelectrically coupled to opposite end of the wire and the entire unit issuspended within an injection mold. A substantially transparent epoxyresin, such as EnviroTex Lite, manufactured by EnvironmentalTechnologies, Inc., of Fields Landing, Calif., is then pumped into themold to encapsulate the entire assembly, as shown in FIG. 8, or to forma plug about the LED 21 and its electrical connection with the elongatedwire 22, as shown in FIG. 2. A lateral borehole 27 or 99, extendinglaterally through the plug beneath the LED 21, is formed integrallyduring molding of the plug as well. A separate ornamental light sourcehaving a plume 80 of fiber optic strands may be fabricated in the samemanner except that the fiber optic plume is placed at the distal end ofthe light emitting diode within the injection mold and is secured to theLED during molding. Epoxy resins often make good material to formsealing layers 25A and 87 and/or plug portions 96 and 25 since they arewatertight, often clear and relatively quick setting. It is alsodesirable to have a clear material form the plug portion to minimize theconspicuousness of the light source.

One of the advantages of using light emitting diodes is that theygenerate relatively low intensity colored light as compared toincandescent bulbs. Thus, they tend to accent the colors within thetank. Since a bright light source tends to wash out colors within thetank, a separate aspect of a tank lighting arrangement incorporates afluorescent tube shade 70 to both dampen and color the light emitted byconventional fluorescent tubes used in aquarium lighting systems. Asseen in FIG. 7, the tube shade 70 forms a cylindrical sleeve which ismerely inserted about the fluorescent tube. To minimize manufacturingcosts and to allow a single shade to fit over tube sizes, the shade isformed from a single piece of translucent acetate or the like, which isrolled or heat treated to set the sleeve into a cylindrical shape. Sincethe acetate is somewhat flexible and resilient, it can be readilystretched to fit over the light tube and will spring back to securelyencase the tube. The tube shade is preferably sized to extend the entirelength of the fluorescent tube. The colors of the tubes may be widelyvaried based entirely on aesthetic preferences. Indeed, multicoloredtubes could be used as well.

One advantage of the light source of the present invention is that itcan be easily incorporated into a display stand. As seen in FIGS. 9 and10, display stand 121 includes a downwardly facing side or surface 122,which is here shown partially buried in said 123 resting on bottom 124of an aquarium tank. Upwardly facing support surface 126 of stand 121receives and supports a decorative object, in this case a simulatedcrystal 127, thereon.

Mounted in support stand 121 for transmission of light in an upwardlydirection toward object 127 is at least one light source 21, constructedin accordance with the present invention and molded into a transparentsealing cylindrical envelope or plug 125. Sealing envelope or plug 125also can have pigment therein to change the color of the light emittedfrom the encapsulated light source. As shown in FIG. 10, stand 121includes three encapsulated LED light sources 21, and since object 127is a simulated crystal formed of a material for the transmission oflight therethrough, the light from LED's 21 passes up through base 128of the crystal and is refracted in various directions from the variouslyoriented crystal surfaces 129.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, light sources 21 in stand 121 are connectedto an exterior source of electricity by wires 22. It will be understood,however, that insulated wires 22 could extend to a battery (not shown)mounted in the base of the stand. As also will be understood displaystand has application for use above water, for example, to displaycrystal collections.

Finally, the light source of the present invention is particularly wellsuited for use in a decorative aquarium volcano. FIG. 12 illustrates adecorative volcano, generally designated 141, having a hollow body 142with an exterior surface 143 shaped to simulate a scale model of avolcano. Proximate a top of body 142 is a volcanic vent-simulatingstructure 144 which is light transmissive. In the preferred formvent-simulating structure 144 is a generally round opening to theinterior of hollow body 142.

In order to simulate volcanic activity, decorative aquarium volcano 141has a light source 21 mounted thereon, for example on light mounting arm146. The light preferably is constructed as described in connection withFIGS. 2 and 8. Moreover, it is preferable that decorative volcanoassembly 141 include gas discharge means 145 mounted to arm 147 fordischarge of a gas, usually air, inside body 142. The discharged gasforms bubbles 148 which buoyantly rise inside body 142 and escape outopening 144. Since light source 21 preferably is directed toward opening144, bubbles 148 have the appearance of smoke and/or erupting materialscoming from the volcano.

If desired, for further simulation effectiveness, gas discharge tube 149can be connected to pump 151 which is controlled for intermittentoperation by control means 152. Operation of light source 21 also can becoupled by wires 22 to controller 152. Thus, programmed or intermittentvolcano "eruptions" can be achieved.

As will be apparent to aquarium fanciers, an oxygen aerator tube 149 ofthe type conventionally employed in aquariums can be mounted in a bore153 or can simply be passed through sand 154 under an edge 156 of thebody to discharge air into the volcano's interior.

Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein, it should be understood that the present invention maybe embodied in many other specific forms without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Particularly, it should be appreciatedthat there are a wide variety of conventional materials that may be usedto form the light encapsulating envelope. Similarly, any number of lightsources may be provided with a single junction box. The light sourcescould also be arranged to have multiple LED's which emanate from asingle, branched wire as seen in FIG. 1. These branched arrangements areparticularly desirable for uses wherein a large number of LED's are usedwithin a relatively small area such as within a single ornament or on asingle plant. Virtually any type of LED may be used so long as its lensis coated or layered to be watertight or encased. Stroboscopic LED's mayalso be used for any desired purpose, such as use in lighthouses.

Another advantage of LED's is that traditionally they have extremelylong lives compared to most other light sources. However, as indicatedabove, if the plastic lenses are submerged in water over any substantialperiod of time, they become brittle and burn out rapidly. Accordingly,in one aspect of the invention it is very important to ensure that whencasting LED, the entire exterior surface of the LED lens be covered,such that the LED is completely encapsulated. Without such a completecoating, the expected life of the LED's will be significantly reduced.

It should also be appreciated that a wide variety of fastenerarrangements can be used to secure the light sources to various objectswithin the tank. Additionally, the junction box may be incorporated intothe tank cover in an alternative embodiment of the invention. Therefore,the present examples and embodiments are to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limitedto the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A decorative aquarium volcano comprising:a bodyhaving an exterior surface shaped to simulate a scale model of a volcanoand including a vent-simulating opening in a top portion of said body; alight source having a lens, said light source mounted in said body, aninsulated electrical conductor means electrically connected to saidlight source, and means sealing the connection between said light sourceand said conductor means and sealing said lens for operation of saidlight source while said body is submerged in water, said sealing meansbeing in direct contact with said connection and said lens, said lightsource being mounted for transmission of light out said top portion ofsaid body; and gas discharge means mounted for the discharge of gasinside said body for buoyant migration of said gas for escape from saidbody through said opening.
 2. The decorative aquarium volcano as definedin claim 1 wherein,said body is hollow, and said top portion is anopening.
 3. The decorative aquarium volcano as defined in claim 1wherein,said light source is a light emitting diode formed to emit redcolored light.
 4. An aquarium lighting system for internallyilluminating an aquarium tank filled with water, the lighting systemcomprising:a multiplicity of lighting sources for disposition within theaquarium tank below the waterline, each lighting source including alight emitting diode, an elongated insulated wire having a connector ona first end and being permanently coupled to the associated lightemitting diode on a second end, the wire insulation being waterproof,and insulating means for sealing the light emitting diode from waterwithin the tank and electrically insulating the connection between thelight emitting diode and the second end of the elongated wire to preventits exposure to the water, said insulating means including a plug whichseals the connection between said elongated wire and its associatedlight emitting diode, said plug having an opening extending therethroughthat forms a portion of an attachment means for attaching said lightemitting means to a support member; a power supply for providing a lowvoltage electrical signal; and a control box for coupling the powersupply to the connectors on said plurality of lighting sources, thecontrol box including a housing, and a multiplicity of connectorjunctions, said housing having a suction cup for attaching to the wallsof said aquarium, each said connector junction being adapted to receivea lighting source connector to provide electrical power to theassociated lighting source.
 5. The lighting system as defined in claim4, anda body having an exterior surface shaped to simulate a scale modelof a volcano including a vent-simulating light transmissive top portion,and at least one light emitting diode being mounted to said body fortransmission of light out of said top portion.
 6. The lighting system asdefined in claim 4, anda body having an exterior surface shaped tosimulate a crystal, said body being formed of a light transmissivematerial, and at least one light emitting diode being mounted to saidbody for transmission of light through said body.
 7. The lighting systemas defined in claim 4, anda body having a shape simulating a geodeincluding an open side and an interior with simulated crystalstructures, and at least one light emitting diode mounted to said bodyin a position illuminating said simulated crystal structure.